phantasmalrift | open post!

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Who: Aiden and YOU... and you, and you, and--
What: Suddenly, Aiden is taking on a female form that he never wanted nor asked for! Also book and music and a message for the resident thieves (+Shido).
When: 07/14 - 08/04 (08/05 - 08/26, OOCly)
Where: Kitchen, common area, various places outside, etc.
Warnings: Uhhh... PG-13 stuff? His clothes don't fit his female form at all, gods help him... There is almost nudity?

Femden

[ The next two weeks are probably going to be the most frustrating period of his life.

It happens, quite literally, out of nowhere. One second, he's making himself some super cold water... Then next? He's... shorter???

For anyone around as it happens, they're going to get quite the show; one second, the body they've come to know as Aiden's will shrink by about seven inches in height. And, because his hair remains the exact same length? That means it's going further down the new form's back, than before - the very obviously female form, as he realizes from the very first time he glances down.

The first time it happens, Aiden spends a moment staring down at himself in confusion, before even thinking to yank the pants back up (and thank gods the shirt he's wearing now comes to this form's knees)... After a glance around? There's no hesitation to just. Run to the apartment and spend some time trying to process what the FUCK is going on.

There's going to be a visit to the medbay. Which, in the case of this, it's honestly just something that will be happening at random, apparently. He doesn't know why it's triggered by cold stuff, but guess what he'll be trying to avoid...

Fortunately, all times after the first time, Aiden's reflexes are faster, and he's made a point of never wearing anything especially thin. For the most part, he's adjusted in a way that just has him frowning every time it happens. So, anyone around when it randomly happens (who looks confused by the sudden appearance shift), will be hearing a softer voice as Aiden sighs and rolls his eyes: ]

I still don't fucking know.

book + music

[ Regardless of the random, weird body swap stuff happening, Aiden still finds time to do some of the things he's growing to enjoy during downtime. Did you know he can play guitar now?

Well, now you do. He's not super skilled, just yet, but he doesn't suck??? He sounds about like what... someone might expect of a person who very sparingly practiced for a year? Far from pro level, and he's still trying to figure out what sounds flow best together, but... hey. He's actually having fun, and that's what matters, right?

Alternatively, he's reading a book. The cover is of someone with black hair, who has a very gender-neutral appearance, and is holding onto a redheaded young lady. The young lady is seemingly screaming and looking to be attacking someone off-camera, while the former is clearly desperate in their attempts to stop her. The title is covered by Aiden's hand.

Strangely, while Aiden appears to be very into the story he's reading (incredibly fast, in the way that might give the impression he's almost skimming), the look on his face is unreadable - maybe a bit... too neutral. ]

closed: PTs + Shido + Minato + Ignis???
07/18 (08/09, OOCly)

[ The Phantom Thieves and Phantom Thieves associates will be getting pulled aside whenever he sees any of them. His expression is serious, and it's clear there's something on his mind: ]

Got a minute?

[ By midday, if he hasn't found one of the above people, he will be sending a message to the rest of the group (it should be easy to figure out who it is, given his chosen name is the username): ]

I gave Morgana my name.
You all can decide what to do, going forward; you have my permission.

[ It's... short and sweet, and pretty damn formal... but he's a nervous wreck right now. Which is part of why he will be looking for Ignis for a moment. If he can't find the guy, he'll be sending him a message, too, asking if it's okay if they talk for a moment. Or maybe... cook together, again. ]

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[ Same general shape, huh?

Even with that, the discomfort only grows. But, he... shoves that down and nods. Unfortunately, for him, the transition is not quite so smooth as he normally could pull off. He manages to keep his voice steady as ever, at least... ]

You're right. I guess it's just a lot to get used to. [ says the person who isn't making eye contact ] I should just be grateful...

You probably just need to learn how to control it. I doubt it's going to just stay unpredictable.

[ For a while he's just... quiet. To someone with a very observant eye, it'll be clear he's hesitating. ]

... Maybe it would help if I knew where to actually start with that. [ to put it mildly ] To be honest, you weren't too far off with your theory, back when we first met - at least... not when it comes to me.

I've actually been studying shapeshifting myself, recently. Nothing to that degree, but...

[He holds up a hand as his skin shifts distinctly tanner, then paler, then back to his actual tone.]

I might be able to help, at least a little.

[ He's watching that with fascination, even if there's something tired in his gaze. ]

Amazing...

[ Well, that's probably the widest smile Goro's seen Aiden ever give him? It's not an outright ear-to-ear smile, and it somehow draws out the exhaustion even more on his face, but he nods with approval. ]

If you don't mind, I'd appreciate the help.

It's not that impressive, not compared to things like sprouting wings or growing fins. This is just what I'm practicing with until I can figure out how to make more dramatic changes. I certainly couldn't change my height and sex like that yet.

[Not that he isn't eating up the complement, anyway...]

Hmm, I wonder...how much has this power actually been on your mind since you got it?

[ That initial part has one corner of his lips lifting just a little higher, and he shakes his head. ]

Being able to change from your natural pigment, however, is an incredible skill. I'd... definitely consider that useful, especially if I were able to keep something like that after returning to Daeseon.

[ Not home - just Daeseon. He's finally accepting it was never home. ]

Ah...

[ Pardon the... lengthy pause as he thinks about that question, Goro... It might be clear, from his expression, as well as his tone, that he's making a guess on where the younger man is going with that. ]

Yes, actually...

That's probably why it's on a hair trigger. Shapeshifting is like any other skill, it involves at least some part of you thinking about what you're doing. Imagine if you were thinking about throwing something, you couldn't really keep it off your mind, and then something startled you while you were holding it. What would happen?

[ At first, he simply gives a nod. There's a moment of hesitance before he actually speaks. ]

For me, it's always difficult not to think about something. [ lips drawing together tightly for a moment ] Especially when it's something I kind of... hate. [ before this can be fully taken the wrong way... ] Nothing against anyone who's female; it's not the gender itself. This has more to do with how the hunters- talked to me.

[ ""Talked to"" him... It's probably clear he's finding dark humor in his own word choice, especially as he looks away. ]

Let's just say... The words said and actions made against me has the idea of me being viewed as female... not a comfortable one. But, I guess...

[ He scrubs a hand through his hair. ]

Maybe that's why... [ briefly, something softening in that expression ] Frankly, I've always hated even the idea of letting people control me.

[ It's a couple of seconds after all of that... ]

... Do you have any experience with diverting thoughts?

...Some. I'm rather similar, in terms of always having something on my mind.

['Talked to', though...he gets the feeling that's downplaying the truth. But he doubts pressing here will do any good.]

I can't say I have much of a perspective when it comes to discomfort at being seen as a girl, though. I do get comments along those lines, but I've never really seen it as belittling. The women I know aren't exactly prone to letting themselves be controlled, after all.

But...I do understand being uncomfortable with something because people have hurt you with it. I was treated like filth when I was in foster care, because I'm an illegitimate child. Now, even though I'm in an environment where that won't happen, I still get uncomfortable about people thinking of me as Shido's bastard child.

For...various reasons, I've had to open up a bit more about my parentage. And, I think you're going to have to learn to...if not accept it, at least not dwell on this new power of yours.

[ There's a flicker of something on his expression - something that might imply he is considering giving more? But, it... really isn't something he wants to go into. Even now, just thinking about it, something cold and unpleasant is crawling down his spine. ]

Before... meeting you, I didn't even know what "bastard" meant. And "illegitimate" is a word I'd only known as meaning "not authorized by the law; not in accordance with accepted standards or rules"... [ Earth has strange priorities, in his opinion ] And, while I can't understand the heaviness of parents being married, it clearly is something painful for you...

[ A-anyway... ]

It's not something I like to really talk about, but... everything I remember is remembered... vividly. As though the moment is happening right then and there. When I brought it up to someone, back on Daeseon, they called me a freak. [ hence that being on his SHITlist ] I was... thirteen. I thought maybe my memory would help me find a better job. Maybe I could turn a burden into something useful. In...stead, I learned to keep quiet about it. But, I-... trust you.

[ FOR REASONS... also the point of saying all that? ]

That's why, when I dwell on something, it's so difficult to push the thought aside. I feel like my mind just- [ vague... hand wave ] ... never slows down?

I have always thought that sort of thing sounded like a mixed blessing, when I read about it in books. I don't have a memory like that, but...I do have a mind that's always busy, even when I do my best to still it. It's part of why I try to always have something to...at least make an attempt at focusing on. Preferably multiple things, so when I get distracted it's more likely to be something other than my own thoughts.

What kinds of things do you usually focus on, in a situation like that?

Back home, it was work. I'm a detective, so I usually had something to occupy my attention. Here, I've been studying this world's magic to get a grasp on the theory, so I could start learning things on my own. In cooler weather, rock climbing is also a good distraction, since I have to pay attention to where my hands and feet are...video games, too.

Detective... [ a nod! ] We had someone named Pikachu in the school, whose job was being a detective, as well.

I'd never met one before that, since they don't exist anymore on Daeseon.

[ There's a pause... ]

And... video games weren't something I ever had time or money for. Not to mention, it seemed like something... more suited to kids.

[ AKA guess what he's literally never done. ]

I could never afford the newer releases, myself, and...I had some issues myself, with thinking it would make me look childish if I got caught playing them. But I've been learning that there's a point where trying to look mature just leads to stifling yourself. If it seems like something you enjoy, you shouldn't let people thinking it's for a different demographic stop you.

[ He presses a hand to the back of his neck, going quiet for a moment. He's still on the fence, right this second, with outright asking. So, for now, he's going to hesitate and just leave it at: ]

... Right now, it's more that I need to learn how to play the games I've seen around here.

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